Papp’s Dog Services

Papp’s Dog Services offers a variety of training programs. Puppy Class is for dogs aged eight weeks to four months, lasting four weeks, one hour per week, covering grooming, basic health care, potty training, crate training, leash training, sit, down, come, and behavior problems. Beginner’s Class is for dogs four months and older, lasting eight weeks, one hour per week, focusing on leash manners (walking without pulling, automatic sit), come when called, sit stay, down stay, stand, and nuisance behaviors. Most dogs completing this class will pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Novice Class is the next step after Beginners, required for all competition courses. It prepares dogs for off-lead work, hand signals, and solidifies past training, concluding with the AKC Canine Good Citizen test in week 8. Competition courses include Obedience (Companion Dog I & II, Open Class, Utility Class) and Rally (Rally I & II), each lasting eight weeks, one hour per week. Conformation classes are also available, focusing on preparing dogs for beauty contests based on breed standards, with handlers judged on their presentation. Private lessons and ring time are available by appointment. They also host a Canine Emergency Preparedness seminar and offer training for AKC Fetch titles, which assess a dog’s retrieving ability across four levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Retriever.

Pricing Summary

Conformation class/run thru costs $10 cash or check per handler. Puppy Class lasts four weeks at one hour per week. All other classes are for eight weeks at one hour per week. Payment for retail sales is by cash or check only.

Papp’s Dog Services offers balanced dog training designed to equip owners with the tools needed for their dog to be a wonderful companion and a good canine citizen. Their goal is to help you become the best thing in your dog’s life. They assist owners who wish to compete in obedience and rally, as well as those dealing with behavioral issues like fear biting, helping dogs become good family members.

While they do not have a specific service dog training program, they provide a basic foundation for such training and assist those who have trained their dogs for service and therapy work. The staff consists of volunteer trainers who understand the importance of providing dog owners with tools to understand and change their pet’s behavior, recognizing that not every tool works for every dog or breed.

Instructors at Papp’s Dog Services have over 100 years of combined experience, guiding dogs and owners from puppy foundation good manners classes through competition in Conformation, Agility, Obedience, and Rally. They aim to help clients learn canine culture for better mutual understanding. The business also operates a retail section, selling products like Oxyfresh, Connectin, OptaGest, natural treats, leashes, collars, and other obedience training equipment and supplies. They no longer offer grooming services.

Accomplishments

Susan Jenkins, the primary trainer, has been training dogs since 1985. She is a board member and certified instructor with NADOI (National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors), a member of IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals), a Certified CGC evaluator for the AKC, and a licensed AKC Obedience judge for non-regular classes and AKC Fetch. Susan has trained multiple dogs to advanced degrees, including American and Canadian Utility Dog titles. Her dog, Malachi, became the first Labrador AKC Grand Champion / Rally Champion in 2020. Her dogs have earned numerous accolades, including being ranked among the top Labradors nationally, achieving high-in-trial awards, and earning advanced agility titles.

Every instructor at Papp’s Dog Services has titled at least one dog in competition. Susan and Lois Brown are certified by NADOI. Bob Harbert, Elizabeth Morstatter, Teresa West-Holmes, and Susan are all AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators. Susan, Teresa, and Elizabeth have shown their dogs at the Westminster Dog Show. Papp’s Dog Services itself received the “Akron Best of 2024” award and the “Neighborhood Faves Award” from Nextdoor.com in 2024. The business was originally started by Jack and Sally Papp in the mid-1970s and was sold to Lewis and Susan Jenkins in December 2004, having earned an excellent reputation.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients are encouraged to call ahead to schedule classes or appointments, as class sizes depend on the count, breed, and size of the dogs. Free phone consultations are available by calling 330-867-9188. Clients can also send an email via the contact form on the website. For Conformation classes, reservations are required and can be made by calling Lois at 330-317-0265. In case of bad weather, clients should check Papp’s website or Facebook page for cancellations. An adult must be present for junior handlers.